[freedomyak]

Does anyone have a good document / pdf / link which clearly explains which colour sirens and lights various emergency services vehicles use? I know the basic ones but things like bomb squad vehicles and blood transfusion transportation vehicles always get me on the multiple choice.

Thanks a lot!

[Advisor]

I didn't know sirens had colours...




But seriously, there are three colours of flashing beacons seen on vehicles on roads. A fourth colour, yellow, is used on vehicles exclusively at airports.

They are as follows:
BLUE
Police
Fire service
Ambulance (including lone paramedics on equipped motorcycles)
Coastguard
Mountain rescue
Cave rescue
Bomb disposal (military or civilian)
Blood transfusion service (including organ transportation)

GREEN
Doctor (any vehicle used by a medical practitioner registered by the General Medical Council whether with full, provisional or limited registration)

AMBER
Road clearance vehicle
Refuse collection vehicle
Breakdown vehicle
Road maintenance vehicle (including maintenance of any apparatus in, on, under or over a road)
Vehicles with a maximum speed of less than 25mph (including its trailer)
Vehicles with an overall width exceeding 2.9 metres
Escort vehicle when used below 25mph
HMRC fuel testing vehicle
Surveying vehicle
Statutory immobilisation or removal vehicle


In short, blue is used on any vehicle used for saving lives. Amber is found on any generally slow moving vehicles which may obstruct the road from time to time. Green is only used by doctors.

[JO53PHS]

All flashing lights are blue except for doctor cars (green) and roadworks/breakdown/service vehicles (orange).

See here